Reviewed by a former Times of London and FT travel writer exclusively for Holidays in Heels!

The Welcome

The twin island nation of St Kitts & Nevis in the eastern Caribbean – once famous only for its sugar plantations and a visit nearly 20 years ago by Lady Di and her sons William and Harry – is fast becoming the premier luxury getaway in the region, threatening to eclipse rivals such as Antigua and Saint Lucia.

There is no greater example of this than the recently opened Park Hyatt Saint Kitts, the brand’s first foray into the Caribbean. Set in Banana Bay, less than half an hour’s drive from the airport and the capital Basseterre, the gently sloping beach is dotted with palm trees and offers fine views to Nevis and warm water to swim in.

The welcome is warm, the champagne chilled.

Sweet Suite

After checking in, a buggy will drive you to your spacious room, which is large, wood-panelledwith a fan like a propeller on the ceiling.

There is also a large terrace to watch the leisurely pace of life.

Fine Fare

After you’ve unpacked, there’s a decision to be made: shall I lunch in the Great House, the Stone Barn or the Fisherman’s Village? Each one is a treat. Stone Barn has just been voted best new restaurant in the Caribbean, but for my taste the lobster in the Fisherman’s Village takes some beating.

Spa & Activities

Then how to spend the afternoon? There’s the beach of course, and a choice of three swimming pools, one that is reserved for adults only. Some people go for runs in the hills or take a speedboat to Nevis; others relax on the sun loungers. The pace of life on St Kitts is so relaxed that the locals even have a word for it: ‘liming’, which means to chill out.

The Miraval spa should not be overlooked. The sauna is hot. The plunge pool is cold. The walls are whitewashed. Gallio, the expert masseuse, could take knots out of wood. There is a 24-hour gym too (we didn’t go there) and even a yoga and meditation space in a sugar mill, the area where they used to cook the sugar cane to extract its contents.

Early evening, and it’s time either to head to one of the beach bars and listen to the waves on the beach, or visit the Great House, as the main structure of the plantation houses used to be called, where one can sample rum at the Tots Rum Bar, or wander in the chef’s herb garden. There are chess boards for the energetic. Then it’s time for dinner. Another exhausting day in paradise ends, and you can’t wait for the next one to begin.

Sara Hamdan

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About Us

Hi, we're the Hamdan sisters! Sara is a professional travel writer whose work has appeared in the NY Times, CNN Travel, Stylist and Harper's Bazaar. Lulu works in healthcare marketing and loves all things nutrition and fitness. The sisters run this blog to share a love of beautiful hotels that make life a little extraordinary for a day or two. Who doesn't love chocolates on their pillows?